Skill is not meaningless, it is just the least significant stat.Skill characters have larger Archery crosshairs (which actually puts me off o-o), they are better at Trampoline and I think it is easier to get 10 on Vault with kill characters...The most important stats are Speed and Power. Both are dominant in Athletics, Swimming, etc.Stamina is good for some Athletics events, Swimming and I think maybe Rowing too?

Mario is the best for long jump. Obviously you need to have full speed when the speed locks. That's easy-just shake the controllers quickly. For the jump, point the remote down and flick it up slowly (most people do it too fast)and as close to the line as possible. To get a great jump, your foot needs to be on the board when you take off- that just requires practise.When you're in mid-air shake the controllers up and down as if you're running and you'll get a slight boost. Stars will stream out of you if done correctly. Not that you can fail really.Finally, before you run, clap six times and within a few tries you're bound to get a high score. This prohibits you from getting a really high score (ie you can't get a world wi-fi rankings record) but it will make it easier for you to get scores of 9.7<.